Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-01-14
WEST VIRGINIA.
Progress OF tho Senatorial Fight
Camden's Chances.
Especial telegram 10 the Dispatch.I

CHARLESTON, W. VA, January 13.-There
are 10 new developments in the senatorial
cOnto 4 except the gaining by Camden OF a
powerful ally in the person OF Hon.
Thomas II. Il. Staggers, Of Mineral county,
aud one OF the acknowledged leaders OF the
KepublIcan party Mr.. Stlggers has been
m The city some days, and has absolutely
refused to Join the PUrcel-iIart combina-
tion. organized TO defeat Camden.
short sessions were held both by the Sem
ate aud House to-day so that the President
ard speaker might be allowed time for Sc
iecting the committees. Among the num-
Der OF bills introduced but four were OF
u ore than local importance. The first OF
these, introduced by Representative Rey-
nOldS, OF Mercer, provides for constitu-
tonal enactment prohibiting the manutlc-
rlrc or sale OF intoxicating drinks In this
Slate. This j. one Of the most important
measures which will come before the Legis-
lattire this session, butt Is by no means GER
tain that II Will become a law, although II
has strong backing in both houses. In
order TO become law IL must be passed by
a two-thirds vote, and as yet THAI number
has not been secured.
The Prohibition party in this Statf e be-
coming q party Of power, and neither OF
the old parties can afford 10 ignore u, and
for that reason especially the bill introduced
to-day will receive respectful consideration
by both Democrats and Republicans. Yet
neither party d1res openly to champion 1t
for fear Of alternating the whiskey.men. The
late OF the bill depends upon which plrty
can bring the strongest influence to bear,
and both sides wIllfight hard.
Thcsecond important bill was introduced
by Representative TOler, OF Kanawha, pro-
vidiny for committee to investigate the
management OF the penitentiary at Mounds.
vile. This bill will undoubtedly pass, and
Il +. alleged that il the committee does its
duty fully Developments OF the most afro
cious nature may De looked for. Mr.. Boyd,
orc II the correspondents OF the Enquirer,
has been bunting the facts up for some
inc. and to-day was called before the
Serate 10 testify in The matter, but so i'm
DOitant was his information thought to be
tb3t IL was made a special matter FOR To-
morrow afternoon, when amost Interesting
and exciting debate may be looked for.
Colonel WlkersOn and Boyd prefer the
charges personally against the superintcn-
dent.
The next bill OF importance was intro
duced by Representative Gleason, OF Ohio
county. making it unlawful to employ as
miners children under twelve years OF
age. The necessity as well as the human
ity of this bill will be at once apparent, for
as the law now Is young children are per-
manently injured and sometimes killed by
the hard work to which they are subjected.
In the Senate a Joint bin was introduced
providing for the opening Of the State
University for both sexes.
Governor Wilson, in his message, has,
among other things, this TO say regarding
the inter- State commerce bill now pend
ipg before Congress "The bill contains
many valuable provisions, but is capable OF
and liable to great abuse and injustice to
individuals, localities, and intermediate
SLtes."
Hon. J. N. Rowan. Speaker OF the House,
is an old parliamentarian, having served
several terms As a member Of the General
Assembly Of Virginia before the State was
divided.
Among the prominent arrivals to-day are
J. b. Taley, editor ri the Wheeling Reqis-
ter; Judge J. L.. Stealey, OF ClrksDurg,
and * RcpTcSC NATIVES Wells aud Lurty, OF
Harrison county.
Last Nay the county commissioners, act
ing on petition signed by large number
Of citizens Of the city aud county, refused
10 grant license for the sale Of Intoxicating
drinks, since which time the city and cOun-
ty have been dry. On the lst day OF Janu-
ary the term OF one OF the commissioners
cXYired and another resigned, and their
Successors. who constitute a majority, to-
day. after reading a petition and hearing
an arguments pro and con, decided to grant
licenses until May lst, at which time they
viii open the matter for Il Tchearing.